Martin Brundle hails Max Verstappen’s ‘mind games’ that could derail Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris

Follow us on Google Discover

Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen could become the second driver in Formula 1 history to win five consecutive championships at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

McLaren’s Lando Norris has a 12-point advantage heading into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but nobody in the paddock dares to write off Max Verstappen at this stage.

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies would have been confident in his star driver’s ability in Qatar, even though McLaren locked out the front row in qualifying.

Who is going to win the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ championship?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Verstappen was past Norris before completing the first corner, and McLaren’s monumental strategy mistake handed him victory over Oscar Piastri, who dominated the entire weekend.

Verstappen may be at a points disadvantage to Norris, but he has the experience of going into a race in Abu Dhabi with everything on the line before.

Martin Brundle has hailed the Dutch genius and believes he’s now using some very clever ‘mind games’ to try and distract Norris and Piastri at the most pivotal point in the season.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Martin Brundle thinks Max Verstappen’s comments are ‘mind games’ in F1 title fight

Brundle was writing in his column on Sky Sports after the race in Qatar about the 28-year-old.

He said: “On the grid, Max told me he was very chilled and doesn’t get nervous at all these days.

“Post race, he told me that he doesn’t care about the championship. That’s simply mind games aimed at the McLaren boys.

“In a sit-down interview earlier in the week, he said that his red mist clash with George Russell back in Barcelona, for which he received a penalty, which cost him a crucial 11 points, was because he cares so much.

“We know how vociferous Max gets with his team when the car is not right, or with other drivers or circumstances on track, he’s a hard-wired winning machine that way, and that’s because he really wants this championship badly; it will be one of his finest, if not the best one yet.

READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from parents to celebration

Martin Brundle backs Lando Norris to deliver at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Brundle also spoke about who he was backing to win the drivers’ championship in Abu Dhabi, and while he’s got plenty of confidence in Verstappen’s ability, he couldn’t look past the current leader.

He continued: “Norris still has the 12-point advantage, and with the best car on the track, and driving for the team which has dominated this championship, if they can all stay calm and methodically, almost boringly, deliver a standard Grand Prix, he should take it.

“I’m going to feel sad to an extent on Sunday evening, because two drivers who deserve a World Championship this season are going to miss out. May the best driver with the calmest head win. Don’t miss this final race.”

Make one BOLD prediction for the 2025 season finale in Abu Dhabi!

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Brundle was spot on with his post-race comments on Piastri, believing that the Australian looked ‘broken’ following the race.

The 24-year-old, who led the championship for more than half of the season, is now on the back foot and needs to beat Verstappen on track and hope Norris has a nightmare weekend to win the title.

Verstappen continues to insist that it’s just another race weekend, which is an ideal mindset considering the pressure.

Norris didn’t complete his final lap in either qualifying session in Qatar. If he can’t deliver under that pressure in Abu Dhabi, you can guarantee that Verstappen will be there to pick up the pieces.